Letter: Misinterpreting Title IX

Utah drill team competitions have become more competitive as each year has passed. As a result of this competitive atmosphere, teams have requested that a limit be put on the number of girls on the state floor.

This request was shot down by the UHSAA because of “Title IX.” They said that limiting the number of girls on the floor was not giving enough girls a chance to be on the floor.

Title nine clearly states that it is discrimination on “the basis of sex” that is not allowed in high school sports. If limiting the number of girls on the state drill floor is not allowed, then limiting the number of girls on basketball, volleyball, softball and soccer teams should not be allowed. Putting a cap on the number of girls on a drill team, which is a UHSAA approved sport, is just like the caps that are on all other women's sports.

You don’t put 12 girls on a softball field that only requires nine, and you don’t put 39 girls on the state drill floor that only requires 20 — it’s an unfair advantage.